Beneath the City ✔️

Bear

We had come out in what must've once been a small town square. There were many houses, hollowed out from people who had to leave. I kept finding myself checking over my shoulder for people who no longer lived here. The others didn't seem completely comfortable either. Namjoon's fingers kept sparking, and Jimin was shifting from foot to foot while we got our bearings.

'We need to head east.' Namjoon said. 'We should reach the city centre quickly that way.' He told us. I nodded

'That's good, I don't like it here.' I said.

'Me neither.' Jimin chimed in. 'The place is a ghost town.' We all exchanged agreements, so together we made our way past the first buildings and towards the hub of the city. The further we went, the more people we began to see, and the louder the noise of the city grew. I hesitated as we walked down one road, where the buildings were lined with wanted posters. I watched as my own face stared down at me, next to Namjoons. He frowned as he saw them. Luckily, the other two weren't up there, but this could cause us issues.

'Don't worry,' Namjoon told me 'they won't be looking out for us, and your hair is pink now too.' He said. I nodded, not mentioning that I was worried the hair would draw attention to me. We caught up with the other two who had kept walking. As we turned a corner I gasped; we were here.

Although the centre was not as crowded as the dome could get, it was no less striking. In contrast to our traders haggling loudly, musicians played in several corners. Street performers stood performing illusionary tricks, or acrobatics. On one stage, a shape shifting woman stood wearing only a brown fur coat that stopped a little above her knees as she transformed between being a bear and a person. I marvelled at the ease with which she did this, but was startled out of my transfixion by a disappointed groan behind me.

'Are you ok?' I asked the short blonde man behind me.

'No' he grumbled.

'Can I help?' I asked politely, because he was in a bad enough mood already.

'Why the heck does everyone travel so light?!' He complained, and I quirked an eyebrow at him.

'I'm not sure I follow...' I pointed out.

'I'm a pickpocket,' He announced 'who's had a shitty day.'

'I'm sorry.' I said, then realised I shouldn't really apologise to someone who tried to steal from me. I turned to walk back to my group who had left me watching the shapeshifter.

'Wait a minute!' He snapped. 'Do I know you?' He asked, and I panicked slightly.

'I, uh don't think so.' I replied. 'What's your name?' I asked.

'Woozi.' He said.

'Don't know you.' I told him. He nodded. I walked away slowly, trying my best to act natural and thanking whatever gods I didn't believe in that he was convinced he didn't know my face. He'd probably seen my wanted posters.

I quickly caught up with my group.

'Where did you go?' Jin asked.

'I was almost recognized by someone who tried to steal from me.'

'What?!' Jimin said incredulously.

'It's fine I talked my way out.' I reassured him.

'But he tried to steal from you?' Jimin asked.

'Yeah, and he was annoyed with me because I had nothing to take.'

'He's probably using the performers as a distraction.' Namjoon guessed. 'We shouldn't stick around, where's the inn?' He added. Jin pulled the map out of his pocket, and looked over it briefly.

'Somewhere to the left of us.' Jin said, pointing at a square with an x marking it. I looked across the square, to a neat row of buildings. One had a picture of a selkie hanging next to it.

'I think that's the one.' I said, pointing.

'Where?' Jimin asked.

'The tall cream one third from the left.' I described.

'Oh yeah.'

We all walked together to the inn, and as I glanced behind us I could've sworn I'd seen Woozi's blonde head disappear into the crowd.

We crossed the threshold to The Olde Selkie, and I shut my eyes as a wave of dizziness passed over me. I kept walking, and when I opened my eyes, I was struck again by the differences to our local haunt. The walls were a pristine cream, with no stains or marks marring the paint, and the tables were all built from the same wood with matching furniture. It looked incredibly smart, even if a little too formal. Namjoon walked over to the bar.

'Are you the owner?' He asked a burly man with a beard.

'That's me.' The man said.

'Nochu said you could give us shelter for a while.' Namjoon said, and the man frowned.

'He did? There's a room at the back, but it'll be a little cramped.' He told us. 'But I have to know I can trust you first.' He said.

I glanced at Jimin, and he looked back at me concerned.

'We can't pay you, or show you any proof, but could I earn my keep?' I implored. Jimin looked back at me exhasperated.

'You can't keep sticking yourself in dangerous situations!' He fumed.

'I could hire you for behind the bar...' The man considered.

'I'll work hard.' I promised. The man nodded, stretching out a hand. I shook it gladly.

'I can work in the kitchen.' Jin piped up. The man looked delighted, and wrung his hand too.

'Brilliant, you can both start tomorrow morning.' He instructed. 'Follow me.' He said gesturing to us all to follow him behind the bar. At the wall behind the bar was a painting of a selkie with its toes dipped in a river. The man put his fingers against the frame, and pried one side from the wall. It swung, revealing a room behind it. Inside was one bed, and a tall pile of blankets and sheets, that were most likely used by the 'official' rooms. 'You can use as many blankets as you like, we've not been getting many people staying in the upstairs rooms recently.' He told us.

'Thanks sir.' Namjoon said smiling. 'We really appreciate it.'

'You can call me Steve.' He said.

Steve left us in the room, shutting the painting, and leaving the room lit by a single flickering bulb above us.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Things are moving along nicely, But I probably ought to put more Jimin moments in.

Oh well, I'm enjoying moving the plot along.

Comments and tips would be greatly appreciated, feel free to say hi or chat.

All my love,
Blue